With the NHL trade deadline set for March 5 — only a week after the schedule resumes following the Sochi hiatus — you’re going to hear the 41-year-old Brodeur’s name mentioned a lot as a playoff rental.

While many will be quick to dismiss the fact Brodeur would actually leave the New Jersey Devils, teams will certainly call and express interest and it will be up to him if he decides to move.

A league executive said Brodeur is in the same situation as defenceman Ray Bourque was when the Boston Bruins sent him to the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, 2000.

That deal was Bourque’s choice.

The belief is New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello would never shop Brodeur but wouldn’t stand in his way either if the future Hall of Famer decided he wanted one more shot at a title. The Minnesota Wild may go looking for a goalie with the uncertainty over the health of No. 1 Josh Harding.

“It’s going to be up to Brodeur and he’s likely giving it some thought,” says a league executive.

THIS ’N’ THAT

Don’t be surprised if the Habs try to get another blueliner after shipping defenceman Raphael Diaz to the Canucks in exchange for forward Dale Weise last Monday. GM Marc Bergevin would still like to get help on defence. The talk is the Habs will try to acquire Dmitri Kulikov from the Panthers because they need a replacement for Diaz on the back end. An RFA on July 1 with a cap hit of $2.5 million, Kulikov has denied rumours he’ll return to the KHL. If that’s the case — and it has been a concern for many teams — then the Panthers might be able to find a deal before the deadline. Making $2.5 million as an RFA, Kulikov could be in for a healthy raise ... The Islanders will have to move left wing Thomas Vanek. The club wants to fetch a No. 1 pick as part of a package. The Penguins want to bring in a top-six scorer for their run to the playoffs so don’t be surprised if GM Ray Shero makes a pitch. The Kings want to upgrade their scoring.

OFF THE GLASS

The GM search in Calgary by president Brian Burke has been put on hold. The thinking is now he won’t do anything until after the draft. While former Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk hasn’t shown much interest, it’s believed he remains the No. 1 candidate if he wants the job. Another guy on the radar screen: Washington GM George McPhee ... Calgary centre Mike Cammalleri likely won’t be re-signing with the Flames. The club has tried to offer him a deal but it’s doubtful he’ll stay there. In fact, Cammalleri has already given Calgary a list of four or five destinations where he’d accept a deal. You have to think the Kings are on that list ... Buffalo captain Steve Ott, goaltender Ryan Miller and left winger Matt Moulson will likely all be moved. The talk is Buffalo has asked for centre Charlie Coyle from Minnesota in exchange for Miller. Don’t think for a second that Minny’s Ryan Suter and Zack Parise wouldn’t support a decision by the club to get Miller from the Sabres. The Coyotes want Moulson from Buffalo. The belief is Buffalo GM Tim Murray is looking for a 2015 No. 1 pick and a prospect in exchange for Moulson. Ott could be headed to San Jose or St. Louis once the freeze is lifted ... No update on talks between defenceman P.K. Subban and the Habs. The price will only go up the longer they wait but Subban will want more than $8 million per-season ... The players will be paid for the 17-day Olympic break which means time will tick off contracts. Rosters are frozen until Feb. 23rd.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

Nobody is sure what gives in Florida. They’ve pretty much declared, with the exception of some young players, that everybody is available. While GM Dale Tallon has maintained he wants to hang on to some of the UFA’s, I’ve been led to believe none have had any contract discussions. The most valuable commodity could be defenceman Tom Gilbert. He is signed to a one-year deal worth $900,000 and could have value on the market. It’s believed the Leafs have shown some mild interest in defenceman Mike Weaver, while up front you can expect right wing Brad Boyes to land elsewhere ... The Rangers have a big decision to make on captain Ryan Callahan. They hoped to have the situation resolved before the Olympic break but it just wasn’t realistic. As reported, it’s believed he wants a seven-year deal worth $6.85 million per-season to remain in New York. On track for the playoffs, the Rangers have to decide if they can stomach trying to sign him during the off-season. If he does decide to go to free agency, there will be plenty of interest. The Blue Jackets, Sabres and Panthers are all expected to show interest ... Lamoriello could be active once the Olympic break ends. He has served notice to teams he’s willing to move veteran right wing Jaromir Jagr. You’d have to think somebody would want his leadership down the stretch.

Martin Brodeur being shopped by New Jersey Devils?

With the NHL trade deadline set for March 5 — only a week after the schedule resumes following the Sochi hiatus — you’re going to hear the 41-year-old Brodeur’s name mentioned a lot as a playoff rental.

While many will be quick to dismiss the fact Brodeur would actually leave the New Jersey Devils, teams will certainly call and express interest and it will be up to him if he decides to move.